ACLU of Texas Comment on AG Paxton Attacks on Gender-affirming Health Care

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released an opinion on Monday declaring gender-affirming medical care for transgender children to be child abuse. In response, Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) on Tuesday to investigate these practices.

Paxton’s opinion is not legally binding, and it remains up to the courts to interpret Texas laws and the Constitution. Moreover, DFPS cannot remove any child from their parents or guardians without a court order. No court here in Texas or anywhere in the country has ever found...